Quanzhou Chengtian Temple, also known as Yuetai Temple, is located in the southeast of Chongyang Gate, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province. In the Five Dynasties, this place was the South Garden of our time. During the weekend Xiande period (954-960), it was converted into a Buddhist temple, initially named "nanzenji". In the fourth year of Song Jingde (1007), it was named "Chengtian Temple". During the reign of Song Jiayou (1056- 1063), it was renamed as Nengren Temple, and in the seventh year of Zhenghe (117), it was renamed as Chengtian Temple.
In the Song Dynasty, Chengtian Temple was full of incense, and the hall was magnificent, with ten views, such as banyan trail, afternoon shade, pine breeze, bird-free tower, Yaotai bright moon, roller blinds, sunset rain, square pond plum shadow, small bamboo sound, yingshan dusk cloud and parrot stone. 1982, Quanzhou made a decision to restore a number of historical sites, including Chengtian Temple. The restoration work began in the spring of 1984, and the reconstructed Chengtian Temple's main hall and pavilions were hung with eaves, which was grand in scale and imposing.
From the Yuan Dynasty to the first year (1279- 1294), seven pagodas were built. In the Ming Dynasty, Pu Yuan, Daoling, Zhizhuang, Dezhong, Zhichang, Zongbin, Ci Zhuo and other monks were stationed in Xicheng Tiangong, and many of them made outstanding achievements. It was rebuilt in the early years of Qing Dynasty. In its heyday, Chengtian Temple had more than 40 temples, covering an area of 1,000 hectares, with more than 700 monks/kloc-0. The whole temple covers an area of 75 mu, about 50,000 square meters. In the late Qing Dynasty, Chengtian Temple declined, crumbling and desolate. After Guo Yun, Brick Shop, Brick Shop and Ruiming all vowed to repair and build more monasteries in the squatters, and the monasteries were revived and brand-new.
In the early years of the Republic of China, after the death of Master Guo Yun, Master Huiquan succeeded the abbot. During the seven or eight years of abbot Huiquan, he also raised funds to build a monk's house in an old house and dug a free pond. In addition to teaching Shurangama Sutra, Beijing Sutra and Tommy Sutra, he also invited domestic Buddhists to give lectures. Later, Master Huiquan was appointed as the abbot of Nanputuo Temple in Xiamen, and soon went to Pujue Temple in Guangming Mountain, the abbot of Singapore, and was transferred to Master Chen to succeed the abbot of Chengtian Temple. During the period of War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, Master Hongyi and Master Xingyuan lived in the temple to give lectures and spread Buddhism, organized Buddhist research meetings and Buddhist recitations, spread Confucian classics, founded Zheng Yang College and trained monks and nuns. When giving lectures at Chengtian Temple, Master Hongyi wrote a banner: "Remembering Buddha does not forget to save the country, and saving the country must remember Buddha", which expressed the patriotism of a Buddhist.
1982, Quanzhou made a decision to restore a number of historical sites, including Chengtian Temple. Master Hong Chuan, a disciple of Master Huiquan who worked in Zhuoxi of Chengtian Temple and was then the abbot of Pujue Temple in Guangming Mountain, Singapore, and patriotic overseas Chinese actively donated money to support the restoration work. The restoration work began in the spring of 1984. After more than five years of intense work, the first phase of the project was completed on 1990, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held. After the reconstruction, the pavilions of Chengtian Temple are hung with eaves, which are grand in scale and imposing.
According to legend, when the temple was built, due to its huge scale, countless Woods were needed. To this end, a Taoist priest went to Shanshan, northern Fujian, to beg from the mountain owner. The mountain owner said, "If you can break the tail tips of those big fir trees you need, I can give alms and listen to you cut them down." After the monk and the mountain master agreed, they did it that night. The wind swept, and the end of the giant sequoia really broke. The mountain owner said, "trees can be cut down. How can you carry them away?" I didn't know that when the monk hit the giant sequoia with a mord, the giant sequoia disappeared at once, but in the Dragon King Well in nanzenji, Quanzhou, a plant floated out. This is how the wood used to build this temple was obtained.
In the Yuan Dynasty, there were seven floating pictures in the temple. During the Jiajing period of Ming Dynasty, Tan Yue Temple was built, but it was burned by soldiers repeatedly. In the 30th year of Kangxi in Qing Dynasty (169 1), the county was rebuilt. In its heyday, there were more than 40 temples, which made many famous monks at home and abroad famous. For example, Guo Yun, a Buddhist monk who helped Master Lian Jiu to expand Chengtian Temple and inscribed a huge plaque on the top of Ursa Major Hall, personally operated the knife.
After Guo Yun Zen Master, there are Huiquan Zen Master, Zhuan Chen Monk, Guangqin Monk, Singapore Hongchuan Zen Master and Philippine Ruijin Zen Master. Chengtian Zen Temple inherits the dharma vein with the character of "Buddha rejoices and turns to Switzerland, and preaches extensively". During the Cultural Revolution, temples were destroyed, including Maitreya Buddha Hall, Dharma Hall, Bell and Drum Tower, Gallery and Shanting Building, and others were used as houses and factories. The Chengtian Temple we see now was rebuilt on the original site in 1985.
There are seven Song Dynasty stone pagodas and stone scriptures in the temple. There are two "release ponds" in front of the Ursa Major Hall, and two "flying towers" beside the ponds. There is another myth about the origin of these two towers. According to legend, there was a traveling monk in Taiwan Province Province with two towers in his hand. One day, the Twin Towers disappeared. Later, the Buddha gave him a dream, saying that only by finding Bozoji and a real foothold can the Twin Towers return. Later, the monk from Taiwan Province Province found Chengtian Temple in Quanzhou and lived in it. Soon, as expected, the twin towers flew in and stood in front of the Ursa Major Hall, hence the name "Feilai Tower".
Conclusion Today, Chengtian Temple Tower has been well protected by the people's government and has been designated as a key cultural relics protection unit in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. There are museums and showrooms of ancient buildings in the temple, which collect many precious cultural relics such as Ningxia history, ethnic groups and military affairs, and become an important activity place for people to watch and appreciate.